VIDEO - Tipping point reached with illegal dumping
People caught illegally dumping rubbish and polluting the whenua are being fined hundreds of dollars as Far North District Council steps up efforts to stop this burden on ratepayers and the environment.
People caught illegally dumping rubbish and polluting the whenua are being fined hundreds of dollars.
Far North District Council has stepped up efforts to stop illegal rubbish dumping, also known as ‘fly tipping’, and is enforcing fines of up to $400 for individuals caught dumping rubbish and other household items.
Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board member and Kawakawa resident, Roddy Pihema, is asking people to honour their commitment to manaakitanga, by protecting the environment from dumped materials that can breakdown into toxic pollutants and clog waterways.
“I have personally talked to people known to have dumped rubbish illegally to give them the opportunity to clean up their mess. It comes down to personal responsibility,” he says.
Council Solid Waste Engineer, Simon Millichamp, manages the clean-up of fly-tipping almost daily. He says there is a considerable cost to ratepayers of sending contractors to clean up illegally dumped rubbish.
“Much of what is dumped can be disposed of or recycled for free at council-run transfer stations. If people are unsure how to dispose of items like whiteware, car batteries and other household items, they can check the council website for this information. It’s all there in black and white.”